Sven for City Commission [archived 2011 site]

March 12, 2011

1. Rental registration and inspection can be effective tools to better enforce the provisions of the development and building codes that govern rental housing. Do you favor rental registration and inspection of all rental properties that are more than 20 years old throughout the city?

YES, I am in favor of rental inspection for all rental properties. There are plenty of life-safety concerns that should require inspection for emergency egress as well as other code concerns.

2. Neighborhoods are suffering from the chronic nuisance created by party houses. Do you favor meaningful enforcement of noise, nuisance and occupancy codes including fines against the owners of properties generating chronic problems?

YES, I support enforcement of occupancy codes and nuisance complaints including fines. Boarding houses – or so-called ‘congregate’ housing – must also be responsible neighbors. I believe that some of the congregate housing should actually have to apply for fraternity or sorority house-zoning expansions where a simple majority of the residents are a member of such an organization. These congregate houses are essentially dormitories for these organizations and simply not a standard multi-family residential occupancy.

3. It is commonplace for a neighborhood or LAN to learn of a development proposal only when the proposal has been placed upon the agenda of the Planning Commission. Do you favor effective participation of neighborhoods in the negotiations over development proposals during the review stage rather than relegating neighborhoods to public comment periods at commission sessions?

YES, we should demand that development applications require notices issued to neighboring property owners within a 250 ft. radius so that adjacent property owners are immediately notified of a possible change of use or zoning modification. Many jurisdictions require public notices as part of a development application, often because it may be unknown to the city whether a homeowner’s association and its covenants have expired or not.

4. The Chamber of Commerce, a business advocacy organization, receives over $200,000 of taxpayer money from the city for economic development planning activities. Would the city be better served if these activities were performed by planners working for the City and answering to the City Commission rather than for a business advocacy organization?

YES, these monies should remain with the city and under the obligation of the municipality to first serve the best interests of the citizens as residents and taxpayers; and, therefore, be less subject to special interest or development groups of a particular kind or having a special agenda.

March 10, 2011

1. Candidate profile information

• Graduated from Washington High School, Kansas City, Kansas, 1969
• Attended University of Kansas, June 1970 – August 1975
• University of Kansas, School of Architecture & College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Bachelor of General Studies 1975
• Kansas Architect since 1982; registration in California, Colorado, Missouri, New Mexico and North Carolina
• American Institute of Architects (AIA Kansas) member since 1982
• University of Denver, College of Law 1984 – 1986 (66 of 130 hrs)
• Ecological Architecture founded in 1990 in Aspen/Woody Creek, Colorado
• Relocated to Lawrence in August 2002
• Centennial Neighborhood Association, Lawrence member since 2002
• Lawrence Preservation Alliance Board Member 2003 – 2004
• City of Lawrence Historic Preservation Committee Member 2004 – 2007
• First Presbyterian Church, Lawrence: Trustee 2006 – 2008 and Eco-Team member 2008

2. Why are you running for office? What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

I hope to make a difference in the way we listen to each neighborhood while working toward better employment opportunities and housing, and while controlling the City budget.

I supported the recent Lawrence Public Library improvements but do not support expansion of the project without voter approval of major changes to the project.

I oppose privatization of our Municipal Trash pickup system and support collective bargaining for all municipal employees.

I oppose further Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in Lawrence and I am opposed to any further additional sales tax districts.

I would like to have a new Community Shelter that will provide both shelter and training, and perhaps a separate location for parents with homeless children that is disturbingly in great need.

3. What role should the City play in housing Lawrence’s homeless?

The current City Commission recently paid $1.3 Million for 20 private aircraft hangers at the airport, new bus buildings and many street improvement projects. The City of Lawrence should find a way to help build or remodel a structure for a Community Shelter in a cooperative manner with our large number of social service agencies, which could also assist with shelter needs. Currently, homeless children and their parents are an emergency need. We must build a shelter for these families and an adult shelter that provides job training.

4. What actions should the City take to increase employment in Lawrence?

We are in a global marketplace. The current economic climate requires our leaders to urgently understand globalization and the new needs of energy independence and renewable power generation.

We can increase employment by co-operatively working with the national and regional business community to embrace an understanding of the domestic marketplace for northeast Kansas. We need to take better advantage of our location between the state government in Topeka and the metropolitan economy of Kansas City. In light of the national economic situation and budget cuts in Topeka, we must advertise Lawrence’s role as the ‘Oasis of Kansas.’ Education and research are our predominant activities so we should step up and lead the economic recovery in eastern Kansas.

5. Do you believe that our neighborhoods function well? If they could be better planned, what do you recommend?

New neighborhoods in Lawrence may need pocket parks or playgrounds and better ‘connections,’ including bicycle and walking paths to schools or shopping. Older neighborhoods need sidewalk repairs and common street improvements due to age, and sometimes need improvements for better storm water drainage. ‘Walkability’ is a trademark of Lawrence and we should continue to build upon our ‘accessible city’ designation.

Land use and zoning changes that abruptly alter established development patterns are becoming an increasing concern to our community. Ending sprawl and focusing on more centralized development with appropriate infill is necessary as we witness the upward acceleration of food, energy and transportation costs.

6. Do you believe that urban developments should be permitted in flood plains? If so, what type?

A great deal of commercial, warehouse and retail development occurs in flood plains in nearby Kansas City. Building in floodplains should be minimized for many reasons, most importantly the high cost of and high probability of damage from flooding. Pumping costs are expensive and have huge on-going maintenance efforts. Any toxins or stored fuels are a huge hazard in a flood zone.

Due to these concerns I also believe that disruption to the Baker Wetlands should be avoided and that the South Lawrence Trafficway should be built south of the river to avoid long-term maintenance issues, allowing the historic wildlife habitat and wetlands to remain undivided.

7. Should the City provide more sidewalks in neighborhoods that lack them, and undertake more sidewalk repairs?

Sidewalks are a part of our transportation system and a master plan for sidewalk repair and maintenance should be part of our long-term planning and budgeting. We probably need a sidewalk survey to really nail down what needs to be done across Lawrence.

In closing, my best talents are thinking creatively and having a clear vision of long-term goals; and making choices that favor the mutual benefits afforded by business and well-planned economic growth, and that enhance our environment and social services.

February 22, 2011

(A)   Do you have previous experience in government? If so, explain.

No, I do not have experience as a government employee or elected official. However, I have served on several advisory boards and professional organization committees.

Historic Preservation should be strongly supported by the City Commission since both Downtown Lawrence and our historic neighborhoods are part of the heritage of Lawrence and the attraction that our community holds for visitors.

(D)   Do you have knowledge or have worked with labor unions? If so, explain?

As an architect,  I have  worked extensively with unions in the construction industry: electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers, elevator equipment contractors, carpenter unions and so forth. Furthermore, as an architect licensed in Kansas and five other states, I can tell you that quality is an important attribute of union labor. Apprenticeship and training within the context of a labor union environment are very beneficial in the construction industry. This quality of training is even more important with regard to Firefighters and Police and I strongly support the heritage and culture of labor unions in education and quality assessment in their respective fields.

I definitely support four-person crews for firefighters. This makes sense to  me and I do wholeheartedly support this crew-assignment approach.  I am certain that having two pairs of hands and eyes available makes much more sense than one pair with only a single backup. It is obvious that two pairs of firefighters can arrive, setup and be much more effective together in an emergency situation.

(F)   In Lawrence currently, there are only two employee groups that enter into contracts with the City. Do you feel that other employee groups should be given the opportunity to meet and confer with city management in regards to pay, benefits and a safe working environment? Also, please make further comments you have on this item below.

I believe that other employment groups should also have the right to be formed and to collectively bargain with the City. I strongly support collective bargaining for fire, police and all municipal employees. I believe that a responsible, self-regulating labor force produces a better quality work environment and makes cooperation between management and employment groups more productive.

(G)   Would you, if offered, accept an endorsement from the Lawrence Professional  Firefighters PAC?

I have known both volunteer and non-volunteer firefighters in both Kansas and Colorado and would be honored to have your endorsement.